The letter, which included excerpts such as “you don’t win a debate with your boobs hanging out,” criticised the Senator over her outfit choices, questioning how she could be expected to be “taken seriously”.

“Watching Question Time and ABC analysis and wanting to pull my eyes out. If SHY wants to be taken seriously why is she wearing a dress in the Senate that looks like she’s on her way to a Christmas party?” it read.

The letter was a response to Senator Hanson-Young’s bold criticism of a deep-running culture within Australian politics whereby conservative male senators “slut-shame” and bully female politicians earlier this week. Following her inspiring speech, she tweeted that she “won’t sit by and be a punching bag for these bully boys any longer”.

I’ve had enough. Real men don’t harass and bully women in their workplaces or their homes, in the bar or on the street. I won’t sit by and be a punching bag for these bully boys any longer. https://t.co/2z7cxnj0f2

Addressing Senator O’Sullivan and conservative independents Fraser Anning, Cory Bernardi and David Leyonhjelm directly, she said: “You are not fit to be in this chamber. You are not fit to call yourselves men.

“Real men don’t insult and threaten women,” she continued.

“They don’t slut-shame them. They don’t attack them and make them feel bullied in their workplace.”

Her comments were off the back of Nationals Senator Barry O’Sullivan saying there was a “bit of Nick Xenophon” in her.

“He’s an absolute pig. He should be booted out. He’s a disgrace,” Greens leader Mr Di Natale said at the time. “You grub,” he called out at Senator O’Sullivan.

Top Comments

I will be bashed for this, but I myself think the dress was inappropriate for the Senate. It looks like a Christmas/barbie cross-over bra-type thing. Imo not only is the cut and style of it god awful and ugly, but I just don't think that type of wear is appropriate for the Senate. No other woman has ever worn anything remotely like that in the House or the Senate.